How to buy land in Ireland as an American

The Republic of Ireland is a beautiful country, with good schools, a vibrant culture, and gorgeous natural landscapes for Americans looking for a new way of life.

But can Americans buy land in Ireland? We take a look at everything you need to know, including acreage costs, financing, and how to buy a piece of land in Ireland.

We’ll also look at Wise – your international money transfer alternative. Pay for your Irish land purchase or send money to over 160 countries across the globe with the mid-market exchange rate — even if you're sending a large amount.

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Table of contents
Can Americans buy land in Ireland? How much is an acre of land in Ireland? Taxes and costs to own land in Ireland Buying property abroad? Send money the hassle-free way with Wise How to find plots of land for sale in Ireland How to buy land in Ireland: step-by-step Does owning land in Ireland give you a title? Financing options for buying land in Ireland

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Can Americans buy land in Ireland?

Yes, you can buy land in Ireland as a foreigner. However, there are a few things to think about before going ahead with your purchase.

Many local Irish counties have specific zoning requirements for building on land – and this may limit what you can do with your plot.

Irish land is typically zoned into 3 different categories:

• Residential
• Commercial
• Industrial

Your land can also be zoned for mixed-use. If you want to build property on your land, you’ll likely need residential or mixed-use land.¹

It may be possible to rezone your land, so make sure to look into all your options before buying a piece of land in Ireland.²

You can also buy property in Ireland as an American. Bungalows, terraced houses, and cottages are all popular property types for US citizens looking for a cozy retirement home in Europe.

Does buying land in Ireland make you a citizen?

Buying land in Ireland won’t automatically grant you citizenship rights – and you’ll likely need a resident permit to live and work in the country.

To get citizenship in Ireland, you may need to prove your ancestry. You can also qualify for citizenship by naturalization once you’ve been a legal resident in Ireland for at least 5 of the past 9 years, but this can be a complicated process.³

If you want to move to Ireland, make sure to look into all your visa and citizenship options before purchasing land. You may also be able to qualify for dual citizenship in Ireland.³

How much is an acre of land in Ireland?

With more and more buyers recognizing the appeal of life in Ireland, land and property prices may be on the increase.¹

However, the exact cost of a piece of land in Ireland can depend on the location, size, and type of plot you want to buy.

Let’s take a look at the price of agricultural land per acre in 5 locations in Ireland. To view the price of residential land, you may need to speak to a real estate agent or local council official.

Location	Land price⁴
Galway	9,333 EUR
Donegal	13,400 EUR
Cork	15,667 EUR
Mayo	10,850 EUR
Kildare	16,400 EUR

Wondering how much that would cost in USD? Check out this handy conversion calculator:

Taxes and costs to own land in Ireland

Buying land can be an expensive process – and there are some additional fees and costs to think about before buying land in Ireland.

You’ll likely spend around 50% of your budget on your land plot itself. The rest of your money may go on costs like land taxes, real estate costs, and legal fees.¹

You’ll need to pay something called Stamp Duty for your Irish land purchase. This is a tax paid to the Irish government – and it’s typically charged for the transfer of land or property.

The amount you’ll pay will depend on the value of your land. For example, you’ll pay 1% of the purchase price for up to 1 million EUR.⁵ If you buy a home for 500,000 EUR, you’ll pay 5000 EUR in Stamp Duty.⁶

If you want to build property on your land, you’ll also need to consider building costs. You’ll need to pay for construction materials, fittings, and professional building services, for example.

These costs can all add up – and the average cost of building a 3-bedroom house in Ireland is 371,311 EUR.⁷

You may also want to think about opening a bank account in Ireland. This can help you avoid expensive currency conversion costs charged by your US bank.

Many providers will add a markup to the standard ‘fair’ mid-market exchange rate you may see online, so look out for these added costs before going ahead with your purchase.

Buying property abroad? Send money the hassle-free way with Wise

Now that we covered some of the basics, the only question left is: how to send money to pay for your property overseas?

Wise offers you a quick, secure, and transparent way of sending money to Ireland. You get the mid-market exchange rate for your payments and see how much it’s charged for the transfer before sending the money from your bank.

With the Wise Account, you can also hold 40+ currencies, spend money in 150+ countries, and receive like a local in 9 different currencies.

Get started with Wise

Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up-to-date pricing and fee information

How to find plots of land for sale in Ireland

There are a few different ways to find plots of land for sale in Ireland:

• Browse for listings online
• Contact land agents in your dream locations
• Speak to the local council
• Contact local property developers

You’ll need to do your research before going ahead with your purchase. You don’t want to end up buying a plot of land that’s impossible to build on, for example.

It’s also a good idea to work with a real estate agent who has experience in buying land or property in Europe. Your agent can help you find an appropriate plot of land and effectively navigate your Irish land purchase.

How to buy land in Ireland: step-by-step

Whether you want to retire in Europe or you’re looking for a new way of life, Ireland is a popular choice for Americans moving abroad.

You’ll need to follow the country’s specific regulations and requirements to secure your land purchase. Here’s how to buy land in Ireland – your step-by-step guide.

Find your plot of land

First things first, you’ll need to find your plot. Browse online, drive around your dream location, or speak to your local council about potential land coming up for sale.

You may also want to speak to property developers in the local area, as these professionals may consider letting you build on a plot of land in exchange for their services.¹

Speak to a real estate or land agent to find out about plots for sale. This can ensure you get the right piece of land for you.

Get a land survey

A full land survey can flag any potential issues with your plot, such as environmental concerns or soil contamination.

You may not be able to build on some types of land, so you’ll need to get that information before going ahead with your purchase.

You’ll also need to check that you have access to basic utilities like electricity and water. This is especially important if you plan to build or live on your land.

Look into your access rights and speak to any neighboring property or landowners to ensure you can go ahead with your plans.

Get planning permission

If you plan to build on your land plot, you’ll need to get planning permission.

Speak to the local planning office to check if your land already has planning permission – and whether it’s since expired. If the land doesn’t have planning permission, you can apply for it through your local council authority.

The council will need to approve your plans and you may also need to build your new home within a certain period of time to avoid applying again.¹

Some local Irish counties may also restrict the type of property you can build on your land or where you can construct new buildings.

Carefully check your land’s title deeds to understand exactly who owns your plot and if there are any recorded restrictions.¹

Consult a professional

You’ll need to consult a few different professionals for your land purchase, such as a real estate agent, a lawyer, a building contractor, and an architect. You may also need to work with local property developers to build your new home.

These professionals can ensure you find a good plot of land, get planning permission, and secure the right financing for your purchase.

Does owning land in Ireland give you a title?

You can’t buy land in Ireland to become a Lord or Lady. To get a Celtic title, you’ll need to marry someone who already has a title, be appointed to the House of Lords, or inherit it from family.

In some cases, you may be able to assume the symbolic title of Lord or Lady of the Manor by owning land, but this may depend on your location or type of land purchase.⁸

You can buy a Celtic title online, but this only gives you personal rights to a souvenir plot of land. The company remains the registered landowner and you won’t hold a proper title in the country.⁹

Financing options for buying land in Ireland

It’s important to think about how you’ll pay for your plot before buying land in Ireland as a foreigner.

If you’re making a cash offer, you may need to prove your funds, so make sure to have this information readily available.

If you can’t afford to buy a plot of land in Ireland outright, you can look into your financing options. You can’t get a regular property mortgage for a land purchase, but you may be able to access a self-build grant or loan.

This is only for buyers who plan to build on their plot – and not all lenders offer it. You can typically borrow up to 80% of the property value, but this may depend on your income or property type.

You may also be able to get a land bridging loan. You can typically qualify for this type of loan without planning permission. You may be able to switch to a self-build mortgage when you’re ready to start the building process.

💡 A land mortgage tends to require a larger down payment than a usual residential mortgage. It may also come with a higher interest rate.¹

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Buying land in Ireland is an appealing prospect for foreigners. The country is known for its accessible healthcare, good quality of life, and proximity to the rest of Europe.

Make sure to follow all the correct legal requirements for your purchase. You’ll also need to think about Irish zoning regulations, building costs, and how much it costs to transfer your money from US dollars to euros.

To send your money across the globe – all at the ‘fair’ mid-market exchange rate – check out Wise.

Sources

1. Novellus Finance - Buying land in Ireland
2. Novellus Finance - Buying a plot of land in Ireland
3. Irish Dual Citizenship - How to get Irish citizenship
4. Teagasc - Land prices by county
5. Mccarthy - Stamp duty in Ireland
6. Switcher - Stamp duty in Ireland explained
7. Top Rated - Cost of building a house in Ireland calculator
8. Ireland Vacation Guide - How to become a Lord in Ireland
9. Celtic Titles

Sources checked 02/18/2025